Sometimes freedom has a price and today we spent time considering the great price paid by some, for the freedom that we enjoy today... First off to the Juno Beach Centre where we considered the efforts of many in the second world war, particularly the Canadians in this case.
I loved the social history on display at the centre, and we had a tour, before our concert, in the sunshine out doors!
I loved the social history on display at the centre, and we had a tour, before our concert, in the sunshine out doors!
I managed to find a spot with a phone signal right here, with a good view all round, and called home for an update on the chickens and pet rats! The building itself boasts awesome views from the roof, and it was difficult to imagine adrenaline charged beach landings on such a fine day and in such a stunning place as this. But consider it, we did ...
After our concert (and thanks to those fun children for dancing), DFS hit the local town, with their chewy packed lunches and some money for drinks in the cafe. The place looked like Weymouth, we though, but with class!
Our next port of call was the American Memorial, a place charged with the memories and emotions of the very great sacrifice of those recorded here.
There was several parts to the outdoor remembrances, and also a visitors centre, with again, a lot of objects that really brought home how life was in those times.
Time for the panrorama option again, but even that could not convey the sheer numbers of neat, white marble crosses. There were a few Jewish stars there too. Click on the photo to see it full width.
While this photo of bear is also sweet, getting down to this level really brought something home to me, and I spent sometime a little overwhelmed, still laying on the grass ... I felt very small, and very thankful.
At the viewpoint over looking the beach is a tactile map of the landings, and we were very proud to see this:-
Young Jack wrote only 'Freedom' in the visitors book. Then we loaded up the coach and headed for Hotel number two, Le Gateaux de Baffy, spending some quality time on the terrace before, and after dinner.
Three course meals and wine, what a luxury, esp if you drink red, and sit on a table of white wine lovers!
And the melons? I almost forgot! They were displayed in the dining room, were thanks to Cezanne, someone clearly had their hands full, and someone seemed to have melon envy. 'Please can i put my melons in your melon, my dear?' Something to do on a hot day perhaps?
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